Chief Measurer's Report to 2007 World Council Meeting
Since our last meeting in 2005 at Darwin the Tasar has undergone
the most significant change in the history of the class - the
introduction of Mylar sails. It is a credit to the class management
and the Tasar community in general that this change has come about
so smoothly, with such goodwill and so little upset.
Introduction of the Mylar jib involved an additional halyard and
new fittings at the head of the sail. Our approach was to publish
some guidelines and encourage the sailors themselves to develop the
most effective way of hoisting the sail and adjusting the jib luff
tension.
Over the next eighteen months a task will be to firm up and
develop class rules to apply in this area. To this end I invite
input into the debate from all Tasar sailors - is the setup we
currently have the best available, or could a different approach
yield a better result?
Introduction of Mylar sails revealed an issue with a fluttering
mainsail leech in an early production batch. The problem was
quickly addressed by 1) Interpretation 35 which allowed for
appropriate repairs and 2) action by the sailmaker, Ian
MacDiarmid.
A further issue to do with repair and replacement of broken jib
battens has recently been addressed with Interpretation 36.
Both of these Interpretations, along with Interpretation 34
(allowing clam cleat keepers) will be submitted to this meeting for
ratification at the conclusion of this report.
Moving on, at the WTC meeting at Darwin, Designer, Frank Bethwaite
was asked to approve a specification change which would allow use
of a swivelling cleat (Ronstan RF5 or similar) to secure the
downhaul. This was agreed to and subsequently came into effect in
December 2005.
Another issue that came to light again, also at Darwin, was
presentation of some older wooden foils which had had inappropriate
repairs completed and which now no longer complied with the
required foil profile. Discussion with the Designer revealed a
pre-existing diagram which provides section measurements against
which doubtful foils can be measured. A copy of this diagram has
now been forwarded on to all Regional Measurers.
Measurement for this World Championship has progressed smoothly
with few issues needing attention. For this regatta we have tried
to streamline the measurement and registration process by
introducing a pre regatta measurement checklist. Key objectives for
this process are 1) to reduce the time taken far regatta
registration - high on the ISAF's wish list for International
Classes, and 2) to shift the emphasis for class rule compliance
back onto competitors. With further refinement we hope to see this
process adopted for all future Tasar World Championships.
Graham Hanna
July 3, 2007